CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE: INTERESTING ALLIES
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9th, 1996 – Potter Manor, Charenwell.
As dawn broke on Friday morning, the full impacts of the events of August 8th were yet to be known by anyone. For Harry, it was the second day following his little mission to the Ministry and the third since the operation that destroyed the Ministry's plans while bringing the last of the Charenwell witches home as well as ten others. The final disposition of those witches was yet to be made. While Remus and Stephanie Lupin and Frank and Alice Longbottom had agreed to assist and would accept up to ten new bondings each, that left sixteen unclaimed witches to deal with. Harry knew that Arthur Weasley was due to arrive on Saturday and also knew from Bill that Arthur had divorced his wife of twenty-eight years meaning he might be persuaded, but that was by no means certain. All the Charenwell Weasleys had already agreed to convince their Dad to help and Ginny had been hard at work with Hermione, Luna, Connie, and both the Greengrass sisters and Patil twins organizing a presentation as to why this would benefit him, his family and the girls in question.
There were ten other new witches who had asked to remain here in Charenwell. Nine had been sent in disguise as part of an assault force they either did not know much about or were morally opposed to in the first place. A tenth was the only broom rider to make it from England and was the daughter of the lame duck Minister for Magic. None of these women would become Concubines here and to ensure they could never become one, they had all been taken under the protection of House Potter. Amy Fudge was currently and Mistress Agnes Hospital in Pottersport recovering from the effects of mild hypothermia. The other eight were staying at the new resort near Potter Manor until their futures and new accommodations could be sorted out. There was a tenth witch as well. Rita Skeeter was currently being held in a secure room at Government House as a Hostile Prisoner, the first prisoner of any description held by the Charenwell government in 157 years.
As dawn was breaking on what would be Harry's first time through Friday, he was still doing his best to put the stressful events of Thursday behind him. Following the air mission day, he had spent the night with Hermione and Tabatha. Following the Umbridge day, it was Luna and Ginny, whose attentions he really appreciated as they had been through "the wars" themselves. Right now, he was making up a "wedding" night with "Little" Laura and the two were sound asleep in each other's arms.
He had begun calling her "Little" Laura at dinner following her bonding. It was, in a way, fitting. Harry now had two Lauras after all. The other Laura was eight years older, four inches taller and had larger boobs as Little Laura was only slightly larger than Astoria. She did not mind her new nickname at all. She might be the youngest and smallest in the House, but she loved having Harry in her as much as any of the girls and had spent last night proving it to Harry yet again. For now, the two were cuddled together and sleeping. Little Laura was dreaming of her wonderful new life and as strange as it was how it really was a dream come true. Harry was dreaming of Dragon Surfing, a sport invented in his dreams were one stood atop a flying dragon and tried not to fall off. He was pretty good at it. His dragon was twisting and turning through the streets of London when suddenly it shot up really high and Harry actually fell off! Naturally, this caused Harry to awake almost immediately.
"Mister Harry, Sir," a voice whispered. Harry could make out the form of an elf.
"Dobby?"
The elf nodded. "Begging your forgiveness, Sir, but there's a visitor downstairs."
"At this hour?"
"He is most apologetic about that, Sir. He just … well his wife and he …"
"Perhaps I should see them?"
"That would be best, Sir."
Reluctantly, Harry crawled from the very warm bed hoping that he would not awake Little Laura, but certain that his absence would not go unnoticed by his newest "wife." She did stir and asked what was happening. He told her what he knew, which was not much and apologized profusely for needing to end their "wedding night" earlier than planned. She surprised him by getting up as well and by not being put out. She said that even though it had only been a couple of days (for her) she knew he had responsibilities and such. That she had him all to herself for two nights was more than she could ask and so long as their times together were special, the fact that she would not have him all the time was not so important. Harry was grateful for her appearance of understanding and made sure she was duly rewarded in the shower.
Dressed and still somewhat annoyed that his morning ended so early, Harry descended the stairs to the Ground Floor where these visitors were waiting. They were seated in the Conservatory and rose as he approached.
Charlie Weasley was twenty-three years old. The second son of Arthur and Molly Weasley, he had entered Hogwarts in September of 1984. His older brother Bill was destined to become a very respected prefect and later Head Boy. Charlie was not interested in what he saw as accolades that would convince his Mother he had a career in government. Sitting at a desk writing memos on Cauldron thickness did not seem like an appealing life even when he was a boy. He wanted something more invigorating.
He thought he found it Second Year. That year he made the Gryffindor Quidditch Team as one of the youngest players in years. He played Seeker and was considered one of the best, certainly the best anyone remembered wearing the Scarlet and Gold of his House. He was always fond of Quidditch and loved playing. He became the team Captain in his Fifth Year but much to the dismay of his house gave up Quidditch his final year to focus on his N.E.W.T.s. By then he knew he had no desire to play professionally and the only real reason to play in the hardest year of school was in the hopes that a scout would offer a contract.
Still, he was proud of his time on the team. Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup twice, once during his Second Year and once during his Fourth Year. Were it not for a lucky Bludger that knocked rookie Oliver Wood out in the opening minutes of Charlie's debut as Captain his Fifth Year in the only game they lost, they might well have won it again. In his Sixth Year and final year on the team, he knew it was unlikely they could manage to win the Cup. Only he and Oliver remained from the year before as the rest of the team either finished school or quit to focus on their O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T.s. Still, they did finish second, which was a lot better than Charlie had hoped when he formed the team the preceding fall. To be honest, he doubted that had he been Captain his final year he would have made much of a difference. Wood was the only player who returned from the prior year. While the Seeker who replaced Charlie was pathetic, the truth was it was the youngest Gryffindor team since the 1974-1975 season. Wood was Captain as a Fourth Year because he was the most experienced and oldest player the House had. The guy also was a walking encyclopedia of the game.
Of course, by Seventh Year Charlie had far more on his mind than just his N.E.W.T.s. The summer before he had a long talk with his Dad and Bill and knew he wanted a job like Bill's waiting for him when he finished. He was not interested in being a Curse Breaker. That was not his passion. What he wanted was a job overseas and preferably far enough from Britain that it would be difficult for him to return for a visit and, more importantly, difficult for his mother to visit him. Over time he had come to want to be as far from her as possible, just as Bill had. And just as with Bill, she was giving him all sorts of unsolicited career advice. She felt with his O.W.L.s, particularly his high honors in Care of Magical Creatures, the only job appropriate for him was in the Care and Regulation of Magical Creatures Department. Charlie thought that department was more of a useless joke than his Dad's job, although he held his tongue. Without her knowing, he applied for a position as a Research Assistant and Ranger at the Wallachia Dragon Preserve in Romania, the most prestigious magical wild life preserve in Europe and, too his amazement, was accepted even before he sat for his N.E.W.T.s. When he finished Hogwarts, he went home for only a couple of days, mostly to say goodbye to the "good Weasleys," Dad, Fred, George and Ginny and pack his stuff. His mother was told about his job ten minutes before his portkey was due to activate, which was almost as much time as Bill had given her to get used to the idea he was leaving for Egypt and would not consider a job at the Ministry.
Charlie did not hate his mother. He, like Bill and others, however did find her very controlling. She had a view of the perfect life and family and that view was not shared by many others, not even her husband. Arthur handled the situation by retreating to his shed and his ever growing collection of Muggle things, which Molly found sufficiently disturbing not to bother him when he was out there. The children were not so lucky. She wanted them all to work for the Ministry just as her brothers had and to respect the ideals she and her brothers had held dear, namely whatever the agenda was of one Albus Dumbledore. Neither Charlie nor Bill could stand their former Headmaster although they never expressed that opinion to their mother. Their father was sympathetic, but was not willing to make a scene either. He was the one to recommend Bill take a position as a Curse Breaker rather than become and Auror as Molly wanted.
Charlie left Britain in July of 1991 and never truly looked back. He returned only once when his Reserve was asked to supply four dragons for a tournament at Hogwarts. He was only there for about two weeks and avoided his mother the whole time claiming he was far too busy for a visit, which was mostly true. When the news broke overseas the summer before that Voldemort had returned, Charlie had received a long letter from his mother stating it was his duty to come home and join the Order of the Phoenix. He found that odd. He knew what the Order was and he also knew neither of his parents were members the last time around. Molly's two older brothers were. Charlie remembered Fabian and Gideon Prewett, but he was only six when they died on an assignment from Dumbledore. What he had heard from his father was that the Order had suffered high losses during the last War. Arthur and Molly had joined up this time, but that was mostly at Molly's insistence and, Arthur believed, mainly to convince the others to join when they were older. In separate letters Arthur implored his two oldest boys to stay where they were if they could. Arthur, apparently, did not trust Dumbledore with their lives.
Bill had returned home. This was not in response to his mother's letters; rather it was a routine transfer by his employer, Gringotts Bank. He had written Charlie to warn that their mother was most insistent about his joining the Order, but that he had told her he could not join and work for Gringotts as it was considered a conflict of interest. Dumbledore himself had tried to recruit Bill as there were no true Curse Breakers under his control. Bill made it clear he would not leave his job unless he was guaranteed a salary in excess of what he was currently making. Apparently, compensation was not something the Order did. Their mother had been furious claiming it was an honor to work with Dumbledore for "The Greater Good." Bill was unmoved, apparently.
Charlie flat out refused to come home. Dealing with Dragons seemed a far better use of his time than what the Order apparently did which struck him as sitting around waiting to get killed or worse. Besides, he was not about to leave Tatiana and he knew his mother would not accept his girlfriend. She was not a Pureblood, not from a wealthy family and not British.
He was still debating if that had been the best of ideas as he rode in the talons of a dragon west from Romania. True, for whatever reason, the dragons had seen to their basic needs and aside from desperately needing a wash, he and his Tatiana were fine. He still had wondered where the dragons were going. Yesterday around dawn he figured they had stopped in a remote area in northwest Spain neat the Atlantic Coast. What he knew of Horntails told him this was way outside of their traditional range. Last night, not long after sunset, he and Tatiana were collected again and they flew out to sea on a course he reckoned was west by northwest. He knew enough about geography to know that there was nothing out there. On this course, the dragons would not find land again for well over a full day at their normal cruising speed and then it would be North America. To his surprise, they landed before dawn on a large lawn surrounded on three sides by what looked like a palace.
Not long after dawn it seemed that the dragons, all of whom were now gathered on the large law, let Charlie and Tatiana go. They walked towards the entrance of the palace before them, both confused by this recent development. On either side of the large door which stood open were two nervous looking hippogriffs who eyed the dragons with concern. After bowing to the proud creatures and receiving bows in return, Charlie and Tatiana passed through the doors where they were met by a being neither recognized. It had elf like features, but was taller.
The being introduced himself as Darda, Head of Staff and asked their names and their business. Their names were easy. As for their business, Charlie told Darda of their recent adventures in brief and stated he really had no idea why they were there. The two of them were asked to wait in "The Conservatory" which was a large open area with tropical plants and chairs and such. Another elf like creature offered them tea while they waited. After several days of just water, tea seemed like such a luxury, as did the food that came with it which was neither dragon roasted mutton or venison.
Soon, a young man approached them from a broad and winding stair that led up into this palace. He was not alone for at least four women were with him. Given the hour, Charlie was surprised to see they were dressed and not in their night clothes. It was only when they were close that he recognized any of them and at first only one.
"Ginny?" he asked looking at the red haired young woman who was approaching. It looked like her, but Ginny never had clothes like that before.
"Charlie?" she asked in reply.
Charlie nodded and the red haired girl all but launched herself at the surprised Dragon Handler throwing her arms around him, but only briefly. She pulled back and looked at him.
"Merlin, you're a mess!" she said. "Do they even bathe in Romania?"
"Sorry Squirt," Charlie said. "Been traveling a while and bathing was not on the schedule. Been so long I've hardly noticed."
"Well, we'll see you fixed up in no time."
"What are you doing here?" Charlie asked. "And where is here, by the way?"
"When was the last time you heard from home?" Ginny asked.
"Um," Charlie thought, "beginning of July I think. Bill dropped me a note saying he and Fleur were moving out of Britain again."
Ginny nodded. "A lot has happened since then," Ginny said. "From our perspective it all began July 10th at the reading of the Last Will and Testament of Sirius Black."
"He's dead?"
"You really have been out of touch," Ginny chided. She then introduced Charlie to the others. With her were Harry Potter, who was almost unrecognizable without his characteristic glasses and scar, Hermione Potter, Luna Black and Cissy Black. Ginny then introduced herself to Tatiana, who had not been introduced yet and Charlie was stunned when she said she was Ginny Potter. She then told Charlie and abbreviated version of Weasley Clan history since July 10th including how she became a Concubine and then wife of Harry Potter, the growth of the Potter/Black Coven(s), the relocation of Bill, Fred and George to this place and their now very large families and the word they had received about the divorce of their parents.
"Are … are you okay with this, Gin?" Charlie asked cautiously.
"Very much so," she replied cheerfully. "We'd all love to have more time with Harry, but aside from that it's wonderful. In many ways it's a girl's dream come true. And who's this?"
"Sorry," Charlie said. "Forgot my manners over the past few days." Charlie introduced them to his wife and Consort and told Ginny (mainly) how and when they met.
"What brings you all the way from Romania?" Harry asked speaking for the first time.
"Dragons," Charlie replied.
"Well, I can assure you, Sir, our colonies of Charenwell Reds are quite happy where they are and I have no intention of having any of them carted off to a zoo."
"Charenwell Reds?" Charlie asked. "You think we're looking for …? I guess I can see that. You misunderstood me. We were brought here by dragons."
"Really?" Harry asked almost in disbelief. Dragons were not known to bring people anywhere, except as a meal, at least as far has Harry knew.
"They're outside," Charlie said. "I mean they were when we came in. They might have left…" he shrugged. He then explained what had happened to him and Tatiana over the last several days, although unintentionally he left out the specific breed of dragon.
"Interesting," Harry said when Charlie was done. "Someone please get Gabrielle up. I'm sure our hippogriff friends need an explanation even if the dragons are gone." Charlie saw the older woman named Cissy nod and leave. "Now let's see what there is to see," Harry said to those who remained.
Harry and the others walked to the front door of the manor and as Harry stepped out he stopped. On the huge lawn that he thought of as the Pitch were more dragons than he could have imagined. There were, in fact, thirty-six dragons, almost all of which appeared to be sunning themselves or otherwise asleep. Only a handful seemed to notice Harry and the others stepping out of the manor including the largest of the lot. Harry knew what kind they were. They were all jet black, large and vicious looking with a spiked tail that looked dangerous. He had faced one of these before. As far as Harry was concerned, facing one Hungarian Horntail even in moderately favorable conditions was one too many. If these dragons meant trouble, there was little he could do. Then again, wouldn't the wards have prevented them from ever arriving here if they meant harm? And how the bloody hell would they ever know one way or another.
Charlie was near him and told him that the "flock" had treated Tatiana and himself well, much to his surprise. Charlie was certain they left the reserve at least in part because of the use of the "Alpha" as part of the Tournament and these dragons had expressed their displeasure just before leaving the Reserve. But why Charlie and Tatiana had been excepted from such expression was beyond him.
Cautiously, Harry stepped forward. He knew if these dragons meant harm, there was little he could do to stop them. The manor was by no means a dragon proof structure and he could not just leave. Most of his girls were inside as were all of the Longbottoms.
"Greetings, Warrior Prince," a voice said. Harry knew it was not one of the people with him. It was not even a human language. He could hear the distinct hiss and grumbles, yet he understood it perfectly.
"Greetings, Noble Dragon," he replied hoping whatever dragon who had said something could understand him, and that he was not going mental. The largest of the dragons turned to him and gazed at him in interest.
"You speak?" it seemed to ask.
"I guess I do," Harry replied.
"We had hoped there would be a Speaker, but such are usually not the Leader of your clans. It would seem that fortune has favored us both, Warrior Prince."
"I'm Sorry, Noble Dragon, but until this moment I was unaware I could speak to you."
"Do you speak with snakes?"
"I have."
"The languages are closely related. We can if we choose to. But to be honest, the snakes are very boring conversationalists. I am Hashal, Matriarch of my clan."
"Harry Potter."
"We have met before, Warrior Prince."
"We have? Wait! It was you that I had to …?"
"It was indeed."
"I'm so sorry about all of that. It was not fair to you or the others to treat you as you were treated and you should not have been forced to…"
"I sensed your unease even then, Warrior Prince."
"Oh?"
"Most of your kind does not treat us with respect or as the equals we are. You, however, did not use magic in your task and challenged me on physical skill alone without magic and as an equal. That you succeeded in your task, as annoying as it was, speaks of your skill. That you used no trick or magic to do so speaks of your honor. To be bested as I was meant that you were deserving of honor, to include the honor of myself and my clan. Upon being returned to my lands, and once my young had fledged, I had you sought out."
"Oh?"
"Scouts were sent forth to find the Warrior Prince. We have our own legends and among them is that of a Warrior Prince who shall protect us from magic and those against whom we cannot protect ourselves and to bring us to a land where we can live free of the enclosures your kind would condemn upon us. It took us some time, for the world is a big place and your realm was hard to find, but find you we did and now we are here."
"And how can I protect you?"
"Figure of speech. Do you or your people hunt dragons?"
"No need," Harry replied. "Our native dragons are no threat to us nor us to them. My people enjoy watching them from a safe distance and no more. For what dragons can supply, we have a hybrid breed that cannot fly which our breeders care for until they are old enough to be harvested."
"My scouts so reported," the dragon replied. "We seek a place where we need not fear your kind or for the safety of our young. Your kind across the water seeks us for harvest or sport, as you found out to your hazard. Your clans do not do so?"
"No. We let our native dragons be and they let us be. To use such noble creatures for sport … I found that distasteful and I am certain my people would agree. If you pose no threat to my people and their animals, then we would have no cause to be a threat to you or your clan. To the east are our mountains around which the lands are unfarmed. There many magical creatures live and are not hunted or harmed by my people. Although, I can't say for certain whether your clan could live there and eat and not have a harmful effect."
"It is only our hatchlings that are voracious. Once fledged, we can live on a cow, sheep or deer a week. More than adequate exchange for what we may offer you, Warrior Prince."
"Oh?"
"We come here seeking refuge, not charity. We will, of course, ally ourselves to you in your times of such need. We are aware of the darkness growing in the islands to your north and know such darkness may well threaten your lands or that you may need to take action to protect your clans. We are a proud race and we honor those who honor us, hence the two we brought with us from the lands to the east. They had honor. The others did not and suffered for their crimes. We brought them here in good faith so you and your people would know we do not dislike your kind on sight. It is by your actions that many of your kind have invoked our ire. And it is by your actions Warrior Prince that you have thus far earned our respect and given us hope."
"You are offering us your help? In what way?"
"We can send scouts who can move unobserved. My kind can be unseen even if we are as close as you and I are. Scouts can observe and report. And, should the time arise, we can be quite fearsome protecting our home and allies."
The conversation went on for some time as the others with Harry looked at him in confusion. Finally, the large dragon nodded. Al but two of the dragons took off and flew to the east.
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
Harry turned to Cissy. "When you can, Cissy, contact the Lord Mayor. I want a large animal paddock built on the edge of the Reserve and I want it stocked with a couple hundred head of sheep and cattle."
Cissy nodded.
"Harry?"
"It seems we have some new friends and allies," Harry said indicating the two dragons that remained lounging on the Pitch. Harry then told the others about his interesting conversation.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9th, 1996 – Riddle Manor, U.K.
Voldemort sat at a desk reading over some documents. He was basically waiting. Pius Thicknese was due any moment to report on the Ministry. At precisely the prescribed time there was a knock on the door to the room he used as a study and he magically opened it revealing the visitor. It was not who he expected.
"Runcorn?" Voldemort asked.
"My Lord! Begging to report."
"I was expecting Thicknese."
Albert Runcorn nodded. "He is dead, My Lord."
"Dead? How?"
"According to the Ministry's official position, he was murdered. According to the one eye witness, he was executed."
"EXECUTED? SINCE WHEN IS THE DEATH PENALTY USED? WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED OF A TRIAL?"
"There was no trial and it was not the Ministry that performed the execution."
"AND WHO WAS IT?"
"Potter."
"What?"
"Potter killed Thicknese, and Thorfin Rowle and Umbridge in her office at the Ministry yesterday afternoon."
"Why? How?"
"According to the witness, he used a muggle device that blew their brains out."
"A gun?"
"I'm not familiar with such things, My Lord. As for why, Thicknese and Rowle were marked Death Eaters. He had their left arms bared for proof. The witness was not marked and was spared."
"Umbridge?"
"She organized an attack against Potter. It was a disaster both for the Ministry and for us. Potter killed her for the attempt."
"For us?"
"Twelve of our Operations types led by Yaxley were part of her strike force…"
"I NEVER AUTHORIZED A MISSION! WHAT WERE THEY DOING WORKING WITH UMBRIDGE?"
"I believe she paid for their services or at least she was going to. She agreed to pay them 50,000 upon completion of the task which was to kill or capture Potter. I'm told Yaxley agreed to provide a force in part because of our organization's recent financial troubles."
"Be that as it may," Voldemort growled, "WE ARE NOT A MERCENARY FORCE! We don't bow to or serve our enemies REGARDLESS OF THE PRICE AND THE MINISTY IS THE ENEMY! I WANT EVERYONE RESPONSIBLE DEAD! WHERE IS YAXLEY?"
"Dead Sir. His body was portkeyed to the Ministry Atrium just after Potter killed our people in that office."
"Who was second in that force?"
"The whole force is dead, Sir."
"WHAT? TWELVE MORE?"
"Twenty-four more, My Lord. The twelve Umbridge sent were part of a force of eighty-six wands sent against potter. Twenty four were Death Eaters. Twenty bodies, including our six people assigned to Azkaban, were in the Atrium. The other four were missing, but I've confirmed their deaths with Magical Archives."
"So you're telling me that two-thirds of my remaining hit force is dead?"
Runcorn nodded nervously.
"Who else do we have inside Azkaban ASIDE FROM PRISONERS?"
"That was all of them, My Lord."
"So we can't even bust them out? Granted, even with their help we're ill manned for an attempt or we were before this, but now we couldn't even do it with a hundred?"
"That is the situation."
"FUCK!"
Runcorn recoiled. He had never heard such language before. The Dark Lord was known for torturing Death Eaters using such Muggle language in his presence.
"I really need to hurt someone," Voldemort growled. "Relax, Runcorn. I can see your mind. You are not part of this problem and shooting the messenger is inappropriate. DAMN IT! Anything else? Any reports as to how much those fools actually accomplished?"
"They were dead before they ever got to wherever they were going, My Lord. It was a total waste."
"WE CAN'T AFFORD SUCH STUPIDITY! WE'VE LOST TOO MUCH AS IT IS! You will inform the FOOLS who still breath they are not even to go Muggle Hunting without my direct orders! They are not to even think of going after that Potter brat! So long as he stays out of Britain, I could care less that he exists! The coward ran from us, Runcorn! For now that is enough. We have bigger problems than looking for teenage runaways. We began this summer with almost seventy wands for combat operations. I now have nine, including three who are still recovering from another fiasco! We need to regroup, train new hit wizards, resupply. This summer has set us back years! ANYONE WHO THINKS I WILL APPRECIATE THE LUXURIES OF LATE IS GOING TO FEEL MY WRATH!! No murder or torture unless I order it. Gather money, supplies and recruits. We must rebuild before we can hope to achieve our goals. MAKE SURE THE INBRED IDIOTS KNOW THIS!"
"Yes My Lord!"
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9th, 1996 – Potter Manor, Charenwell.
Cathy Abrams was a twelve year old witch who had recently finished her first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was born on September 7th, 1983 making her the oldest student in her year by a few weeks. Sorted into Hufflepuff house, she had entered Hogwarts eleven months ago and had grown more than four inches in height since starting school. Physically the black haired, blue eyed Cathy was the most mature girl in her year when she entered, which caused more than a little jealousy with the first year girls who shared her dorm. She had already developed noticeable if still somewhat small breasts during the summer before her First Year and was the only girl in her First Year dorm that did not still look like a little girl. By the time the year had ended, she had developed even further and now looked to be more like fifteen that almost thirteen. Her mother had told her that the women in her family tended to mature early. Still, that explanation did not help her make any friends in her year.
Her best friend was Eleanor Bromstone, who was a year ahead of her in school. Eleanor was not as developed as Cathy, but was not put off by the younger witch. She had, in a way, taken Cathy under her wing when she noticed how the other First Year Huff girls were treating her. Eleanor hated "girl politics" as she called it. This was the tendency of girls at their age to pick on girls who stood out one way or another. Those who blossomed early or later than "normal" - whatever that was - were subject to ridicule just as were girls who stood out in class, either as being smart or not so. In Eleanor's case, her classmates shunned her because she was smart and pretty, even though her younger friend was more developed. Cathy had it from two sides. She was popular with boys because she was more woman than girl and she was at the top of her classes.
Despite the social issues, and in no small part because of her friendship with Eleanor, Cathy actually enjoyed her First Year. She enjoyed most all of her classes, the one exception being Potions. While she found the subject fascinating, the professor was mean and vindictive to anyone who was not from his House. She had her first real crush on a boy four years older than her who, typically, did not even know she existed. Eleanor had a crush on him too, but he was in a different house and clearly preferred older witches if the rumors were true. It was a typical topic of meaningless conversation between the two budding adolescents. Everything was going so well, she thought, when she returned home for the summer. She was wrong. A day or so after she returned for the summer, she realized her world had crashed down upon her.
A year earlier, Cathy had entered puberty as her first period announced that fact in June of 1995. When this event happened, she freaked as no one had told her the blood was normal. That night, as she suffered through the mess, cramps and general ill feeling, her mother gave her the first of three "talks." Her mother was a Pureblood witch from a Minor House who had married a Muggle Born wizard. The first "Talk" was about becoming a woman, sex, babies, boys and the like. Cathy had blushed for days following it. Her mother had spared no punches in telling her oldest daughter about what it meant to become a young woman and what sorts of activities she should avoid with boys for the time being and why. The first "Talk" had been both mortifying for the eleven year old and highly embarrassing at the same time.
Just before Cathy was set to head off to Hogwarts, her mother gave her the second "Talk." This one was not embarrassing, it was terrifying. Her mother told her about the status of witches in magical society, magical guardians, arranged marriages, Consort and Concubines. It was the notion of Concubines that terrified the eleven year old. The fact that her magical guardian could sell her into a form of slavery for any reason or no reason at all was horrible to contemplate. The fact that should that happen, she would lose her family and become little more than a whore on the bottom rung of magical society was even more terrifying. Cathy's only solace was the fact that her Daddy was her Magical Guardian. While her Daddy was a Muggle-Born, he aspired to make a name for himself in society, and the worst thing a social climber could do was sink to selling his daughters as sex slaves. Still, the fact that this could happen terrified the young woman.
Her third "Talk" came when she returned home for Christmas. Her first term had left her unnerved in a way. Practically from the first day, she had seen that most all of the upper year girls were having sex, as she understood it. Not so much with boys, although that clearly happened. She figured half of the Third Years and above had sex with other girls regularly - as in daily and in many cases more than once a day. The rest played with themselves quite publicly - at least in places where boys were not allowed such as the girl's dorms and the girl's bathrooms. It disturbed her yet intrigued her as well. She asked Eleanor about it, but her friend had no idea why it went on and it apparently was not a Hufflepuff thing as the bathrooms between classes had girls from all houses getting sex either by themselves or with other girls.
Her mother told her about the importance of female orgasms to the growing witch and why all the older girls were doing what they were doing. Her mother told her that now that she was a true adolescent, she needed her orgasms as well and told her in explicit detail how to make that happen by herself, but also told her that there was no reason not to engage in sex with another girl. Unlike the Muggle World, at least among witches, same sex shagging was "normal" for teenage witches. It had nothing to do with lust, desire or romantic love and did not mean the young witch was not into boys. It was all about the orgasms necessary to help their magic grow and develop as they were overwhelmed by the hormones of becoming a woman. Her mother did not recommend self-pleasure or "girl sex," except to say that it was up to Cathy to decide which she was more comfortable with. That night, Cathy pleasured herself for the first time. She enjoyed it. Still, there was something about sharing the experience that appealed to her even though she was not at all attracted to women.
The day after this talk, Cathy had left to spend a few days with Eleanor and her family. It had been agreed to beforehand and Eleanor would spend a few days at the Abrams' after Christmas. Not long after Cathy arrived, Eleanor told her that her mother had had the same talk about orgasms that Cathy had the night before. Arguably, one thing led to another. They were in Eleanor's room and they both pleasured themselves while the other watched. This soon led to pleasuring each other and experimenting with kissing, caressing and every method that they had seen in the dorms of pleasing another girl. They both enjoyed it thoroughly although neither of them was suddenly interested in girls to the exclusion of boys as they feared. This was not lust, it was just about arousal and orgasms and they were now both okay with what should have been a disturbing concept.
Cathy's father was Muggle Born and had brought with him into the magical world the prejudices of his society. High on that list was homosexuality. He never said anything to anyone in his family, but deep down he would be humiliated if any child of his batted from the wrong side of the wicket. When Eleanor was spending a few days with them following Christmas, Cathy's father's worst fears seemed to be realized. He all but walked in on his daughter and her best friend naked as his daughter had her face in her friend's privates and was clearly having sex with another girl! Cathy's father hoped it was just a phase - youthful experimentation - and said nothing.
Cathy would never know that Easter Break was the end of life as she knew it. Her father, under a disillusionment charm, had watched in disgust as she and Eleanor have sex for an afternoon. What really did it for him was their pillow talk. While it was not the type engaged in by lovers, in his mind it was far worse. Having crossed the line into homosexuality - in his mind - they had returned to Hogwarts and had become lesbian sluts. They had had sex with seemingly half of the girls in their House and spent their afternoon alternating between having sex with each other and comparing notes on the older witches they had fucked. They even talked about girl orgies that happened every Sunday and how much fun those orgies were. Her father snuck out of the room as the two were again doing it and immediately sent a letter to the Auction House.
The day after she returned home for the summer, she knew something was up. Her two older brothers were looking at her with disgust. She thought about asking why, but could not think of a reason that would make sense. The Monday following her return, she woke up to an empty house. Everything in her room was gone save the bed she had been sleeping in and a change of clothes hanging from a hanger on the doorknob. The rest of the house was empty as well, except for four trunks in the living room. She opened each and saw they contained everything she owned. Her family was gone and she had no idea where they were.
On her school trunk was the letter that destroyed her. It was from her father. It told her he knew she was a "Lesbian" and he had disowned her out of the shame of her "abnormality." He wrote that her Mum had tried to convince him he was wrong about his "freak" daughter, but there could be no denying she was an "abomination." She was disowned. He made it clear he could care less what she did with her "Freak" life or whether she lived or died and that the family had left and she was never to see them again.
After hours of crying, Cathy did the only thing she could think of, she went to her friend Eleanor's for the summer. Mrs. Bromstone was somewhat sympathetic, although she was enraged that Cathy's father could abandon her the way he did or that her mother would too. Still, as welcoming as the Bromstone's were, Cathy was terrified. She knew that what usually happened to a girl her age that was disowned and not married or bound to a wizard was that she would be sold as a Concubine. She was certain, deep down, that her once beloved Daddy had sold her off as a slave and whore. Each day that passed, she expected to be taken away to spread her legs either for some perverted old git or as little more than a prostitute. Each day that it did not happen was a blessing and as July had turned into August, she sensed a glimmer of hope. Should she remain unclaimed by September First, she would be spared for at least another year as it was illegal to claim a new Concubine who was in school while they were in school term. Should September First come along, she would be safe from enslavement until next June and maybe - just maybe - she could find a way to avoid it altogether. Still, each passing day she feared the Summons or the arrival of a Collector, a witch or wizard who would come and take her to a hell on earth.
August ninth had dawned and Cathy awoke. She had a bed in her best friend's room. While they pleasured each other, they were not truly lovers as neither had an interest in sleeping in the same bed. With a boy, maybe, but not with a girl.
Cathy awoke once again to an empty room. All that was left was her bed and a change of clothes hanging on the doorknob. 'Not again,' she thought. She got up, showered and changed into the clothes, dreading what she would find as she left the room.
The house was much like her former home had been earlier that summer, devoid of furnishings. She descended the stairs and heard sobbing. It was Eleanor.
"No Daddy, no," Eleanor bawled. "Please take it back!"
"C-can't B-baby," Cathy heard Eleanor's father said. "Can't."
"Why - why not?"
"Cause I had to, Baby," he said. "I had to. D-Didn't want to. Damn Death Eaters gave me no choice. Pay or all die."
"W-Why?" Eleanor bawled. "Why would they do this?"
"They are evil, Dove," the man said in tears. "They torture anyway they can."
"P-p-please D-Daddy! Don't do this!"
"I - damn it Princess, I wish there was another way!"
"Will I ever see you and Mum again? And Amy and Christy?"
"I - I don't know," Mr. Bromstone said. "I hope so, but I don't know."
"And what about Cathy?"
"She's on the list too," he replied. "I'm sorry. Seems her Dad sold her off as well."
"No," Cathy whimpered softly as she fell and was overcome by her tears.
"No!" Eleanor wailed. "Why Daddy? Why?"
"No choice," the man bawled. "It was you or watch your Mum and sisters being raped and murdered. No real choice."
"D-d-d-daddy PLEASE!"
"I'm so sorry," Mr. Bromstone said. "If and when this war is over, Love, I will find you!"
"Daddy no! Don't leave me!"
"I'm so sorry, Eleanor."
"Daddy? NOOOOO!"
Cathy sat at the foot of the stairs in the empty house quietly sobbing. Her Daddy had sold her too. Still, she wondered if it was worse for her friend whose Daddy had told her that and told her he still loved her. She didn't know which was worse and really did not want to find out. It really didn't matter anyway. They were both screwed in more ways than one, and both victims of a male dominated society that reduced women like them to little more than commodities to be bought, sold and traded. It broke her heart and made her sick at the same time. But at twelve years old, what was there for her to do? All she could do was be there for her friend while their lives, hopes and dreams ended. She followed the sound of Eleanor's sobs and found her in an empty living room with just trunks and the broken girl. Tears streaming down her face, she pulled her friend into a hug and they wept for their lost lives together. Cathy never noticed the trunks that held everything she and Eleanor owned disappear. She also took a while to notice that the empty room she and Eleanor were in had disappeared as well and that they were now in an ornate room of sofas and tropical plants that was almost as large as any house she had ever been in.
Aside from Eleanor, there was only one other witch with them at present who looked even more confused than they did. The witch had been a Fifth Year Ravenclaw and was named Morag McDougal. Another witch arrived shortly, handed them some robes and escorted them to a parlor of some sort where to the relief of Cathy and the others Professor McGonagall was waiting along with a young girl who looked like she was too young for Hogwarts. The girl was named Gabrielle and they were told she was here to observe the morning lessons but would not take part in that afternoon's activities, whatever that meant.
Seeing Professor McGonagall there had momentarily given Cathy hope that she and Eleanor were not destined to become whores. That hope was dashed almost immediately. The first thing McGonagall explained was that she was a Concubine and what that meant and that the three of them with the robes were to become Concubines that afternoon. True, the "lesson" did explain things in a way that did not sound anything like what Cathy had been told before, but there was just enough there to suggest to her it was spin. She was going to have sex with a man today whether she wanted to or not. The window dressing of accepting it and it could be wonderful did not change that fact. Well, Cathy was not going to accept it! When the lecture moved on to sexuality and the need for releases stating that in this instance they were encouraged to take advantage of their wizard for their needs whenever he was available, Cathy decided then and there she would do no such things. Whoever this wizard was might be able to order her to perform like some monkey, but it did not follow she had to like it, look forward to it, or rely upon it for her daily needs and she sure as hell was not going to seek out another whore for it either!
That afternoon she found herself in a huge library with a couple of other younger witches who, it was clear, were already whores and who like McGonagall were trying to convince her and Eleanor that this whole thing was wonderful. She could not tell what Eleanor was thinking. All Cathy knew was she was not going to think that way ever. She knew she could not resist the Bonding. She would do what she was told when she was told to. But she was not going to enjoy it and sure as she breathed was not going to love the bastard who would take her ever!
Then she found out she and Eleanor would not even be bound in private! All the other whores would be there to watch! She watched as they filed in. She recognized some, but did not know their names, aside from Professor McGonagall that was. They were all smiling and cheerful. Cathy hated them all on sight. Then he came in. Okay, she said to herself, Harry Potter. Boy-Who-Lived or not, the fact that he owned this place, the fact he was rich and the fact she had thought he was cute did not cover up the truth in her mind. The fact was he was naked and seated between her and Eleanor as McGonagall kneeled before him and took his thing in her mouth demonstrating one of the things she would be doing later. To Cathy's surprise, she was fascinated. She tried to be disgusted, but it wasn't working. She sat there and watched as the woman pleasured the wizard and he sat there with his arms around her and Eleanor. She sat and watched as McGonagall climbed into his lap minutes after he was done to put his thing in her and do him again. Each act seemed more interesting than the last. When they were done, and she felt it from both of them, Harry stood before them and recited the bonding oath.
Cathy watched as Eleanor was told to get up and undress and watched as Harry had his way with her best friend. Cathy was surprised by Eleanor's reactions. She had been with Eleanor enough to know the sounds the girl made when she was being pleasured and the faces as well. Eleanor was clearly enjoying it! When told to take him in her mouth she did so with a big smile, as if she had been waiting all day for that! She pleasured him with unbridled enthusiasm! And she clearly enjoyed doing it! When he finished, she had that smile on her face she used when she knew she had given Cathy a toe curling orgasm! He then did to Eleanor what Cathy had done to her friend many, many times and Cathy knew that he was very, very good at that judging by her friend's reaction. Finally, once Eleanor had caught her breath, Harry ordered the girl to lie down, her head inches away from where Cathy sat, and she sat and watched the boy take her friend's virtue. Worse still was the look in her friend's eyes just before he entered her. She was begging him to take her! Worse still, as much as Cathy was trying to hate this, she had never been so turned on in her life!
Soon it was Cathy's turn. She knew her body would obey at this point. She knew if he told her to strip, she would not be able to refuse openly. Her hope was that she would refuse inside. When he told her to stand, though, she was no longer refusing in her mind. She could not understand what had happened, but she was now beginning to want this badly. She wanted him to see her, touch her everywhere and make her come again and again as he had done to her friend. She had not believed McGonagall when the woman said something about Coven magic. This was not about him, she said. This was now about a collective them. A witch once invited is drawn to a Coven like a moth to the flame, she said.
She stood there, naked before all as he began to have his way with her and it was not just her body reacting to him, she was. His kisses and touch were beyond anything she had dreamed and she had her first orgasm before he even began really touching her down there. He did not stop and she soon was brought to a powerful orgasm that buckled her knees. She did not know it yet or would not admit it, but her will to resist the bond ended almost from his first touch. Like the twenty-four witches before her, she was his before she took him in her mouth for the first time and now wanted him to make a woman out of her, to be her only wizard, to father their children. When he took her virginity, her eyes were begging for him and what he did to please her defied her ability to express in words. She never wanted him to stop.
Sometime later, after the Cross Bondings as Cathy rode her knew lover and came for yet another time and at another level beyond what she had even imagined possible, she began to understand and accept this new life. By the time she and Eleanor fell asleep hours later in their lover's arms, they were now his wives as well and deep down believed this was how it was meant to be for them.
A/N: There might be another Bonding Scene, but don't count on it. Harry, however, is done for a long, long time.
A review after one of the last chapters noted that it seemed this world is mysogenistic... I thought that was obvious by Chapter 10. This is a slave challenge/harem fic. Kind of hard to get there otherwise...
RELATIONSHIP SCORECARD:
If you didn't read the Intro, you missed that. This is so you can keep up with who's with who and how.
Key:
Names in Italics = OC
Gr – Gryffindor, Hu – Hufflepuff, Ra – Ravenclaw, Sl – Slytherin.
SG – St. George's School, PE – Prince Edward School, SA – St. Andrew's, SP – St. Patrick's, SD – St. David's.
(Number indicates last year completed. No number means they finished all seven years.)
P = pregnant.
Harry James Potter, age 16.* HOUSE POTTER
1. Hermione Jane (Granger) Potter, age 16 (Gr-5); CONSORT.*P - boy/girl (twins).
2. Minerva Grace (McGonagall) Potter-Black, age 68 (Gr).P - girl.
3. Astoria Lynn (Greengrass) Potter-Black, age 14 (Sl-3).*
4. Ginevra Molly (Weasley) Potter-Black, age 14 (Gr-4).*
5. Stacey Marie (Campbell) Potter-Black, age 17 (SA-5).*
6. Laura Teresa (Oliver) Potter-Black, age 21 (PE-5).*
7. Rhonda Kaye (Lester) Potter-Black, age 17 (SD-5).
8. Katie Alice (Bell) Potter-Black, age 17 (Gr-6).
9. Padma (Patil) Potter-Black, age 16 (Ra-5).
10. Sally-Anne (Perks) Potter-Black, age 16 (SG-5).
11. Erin Faye (Sullivan) Potter-Black, age 16 (SP-6).
12. Eleanor May Bromstone, age 13 (12/5/82) (Hu-2); CONCUBINE POTTER 8/9/96.
HOUSE BLACK
1. Luna Celeste (Lovegood) Black, age 15 (Ra-4); CONSORT.*P
2. Dora (Tonks) Black-Potter, age 22 (Hu).*P – girl.
3. Mallory Michelle (Grant) Black-Potter, age 39 (Hu).P - boy.
4. Daphne Renee (Greengrass) Black-Potter, age 16 (Sl-5).*P
5. Tabatha Simone (Collins) Black-Potter, age 16 (SA-5).*
6. Fiona Michelle (Simpson) Black-Potter, age 22 (SD).*
7. Karen Maria (Green) Black-Potter, age 18 (PE-5).
8. Constance Maria (Plumber) Black-Potter, age 16 (SG-5).
9. Parvati (Patil) Black-Potter, age 16 (Gr-5).
10. Kathryn Marie (O'Fallon) Black-Potter, age 16 (SP-5).
11. Laura Elaine (Madley) Black-Potter, age 13 (Ra-2).
12. Cathy Alicia Abrams, age 12 (9/7/83) (Hu-1); CONCUBINE BLACK 8/9/96.
1. Narcissa (Cissy) Black, age 33 (Sl-5); Coven Bonded.
2. Gabrielle Collette Delacour, age 9; Veela Bond.
Bill Weasley, age 25.
1. Fleur Patrice (Delacour) Weasley, age 19; CONSORT.P – girl.
2. Mary Ellen (Howard) Weasley, age 18 (Hu-5).*P - boy.
3. Samantha Christine (Johnson) Weasley, age 17 (SG-5).*
4. Peggy Louise (Nolan) Weasley, age 17 (9/6/78) (Hu-6).*
5. Elizabeth Olive (Nolan) Weasley, age 14 (Gr-3).
6. Lana Catherine (Powell) Weasley, age 22 (SA).*P
7. Carla (Masterson) Weasley, age 20 (PE-5).*P
8. Donna Lynn (Roselle) Weasley, age 19 (SG-5).
9. Christine Celine (Paulson) Weasley, age 17 (PE-5).
10. Mandy (Brocklehurst) Weasley, age 16 (Ra-5).
11. Wendy Seline (Hendricks) Weasley, age 15 (Gr-4).
12. Agnes Gabrielle (Martin) Weasley, age 15 (Hu-4).
13. Morgan Laura (Carlson) Weasley, age 14 (Hu-3).
14. Francine Sally (Broadmoor) Weasley, age 14 (Ra-3).
15. Wanda Helen Parker, age 13 (Gr-2).
16. Bonnie Faith Carter, age 13 (Hu-2).
Neville Algicyrus Longbottom, age 16.*
1. Susan Marie (Bones) Longbottom, age 16 (Hu-5); CONSORT.*P – boy, girl (twins).
2. Amber Selma (Harker) Longbottom, age 33 (Sl-5).*P - boy, girl (twins).
3. Penelope Ann (Clearwater) Longbottom, age 20 (Ra).*P
4. Annette Lucille (Harper) Longbottom, age 24 (SD).*
5. Deborah Leigh (McLean) Longbottom, age 20 (SA).*
6. Miriam Olivia (Riley) Longbottom, age 18 (SG-5).P
7. Amanda (Kennedy) Longbottom, age 16 (SP-5).
8. Hannah Suzanne (Abbott) Longbottom, age 16 (Hu-5).
9. Patricia Faye (Abbott) Longbottom, age 14 (Hu-3).
10. Megan Allison (Jones) Longbottom, age 16 (Hu-5).
12. Leanne Lucille (Tinker) Longbottom, age 17 (Gr-6).
13. Lavender Sue (Brown) Longbottom, age 16 (Gr-5).
14. Natalie Mae (McDonald) Longbottom, age 14 (Gr-3).
15. Cho (Chang) Longbottom, age 17 (Ra-6).
16. Su Li, age 16 (Ra-5).
17. Morag Coleen McDougal, age 16 (12/5/79) (Ra-5); CONCUBINE NEVILLE 8/9/96.
Fred Weasley, age 18.
1. Alicia May (Spinet) Weasley, age 18 (Gr); CONSORT.*P
2. Verity Nicole (Smith) Weasley, age 21 (SG-5).*P – boy.
3. Danielle Louise (Carter) Weasley, age 20 (SG-5).*P - girl.
4. Victoria (Vicki) (Peters) Weasley, age 17 (Ra-6).*
5. Rachel Francine (Peters) Weasley, age 15 (Ra-4).*
6. Coleen (Harrington) Weasley, age 23 (SP).*
7. Elisha Susan (Stout) Weasley, age 21 (SD).P
8. Helen May (Ivey) Weasley, age 20 (SG-5).
9. Caroline (Folsom) Weasley, age 18 (SD-5).
10. Annette Maria (Barnes) Weasley, age 15 (Gr-4).
11. Simone (Fanning) Weasley, age 15, (Hu-4).
12. Jessica (Jessie) (Bates) Weasley, age 14 (Gr-3).
13. Jennifer Lynn (Faulken) Weasley, age 14 (Hu-3).
14. Patsy (Tennyson) Weasley, age 14 (Ra-3).
15. Mary Simone (Tennyson) Weasley, age 14 (Ra-3).
16. Megan Anne Albright, age 13 (Hu-2).
George Weasley, age 18.
1. Angelina Olivia (Johnson) Weasley, age 18 (Gr); CONSORT.*P – boy.
2. Shelly Ann (Parker) Weasley, age 22 (SG).*P - girl.
3. Ellen Suzanne (North) Weasley, age 20 (SG).*P
4. Alice Melissa (Jenkins) Weasley, age 17 (Hu-6).*
5. Roberta Elaine (Larson) Weasley, age 25 (PE).*P
6. Georgina Emma (Parker) Weasley, age 22 (SG).*
7. Eileen (O'Malley) Weasley, age 21 (SP-5).
8. Isabel (Tate) Weasley, age 19 (SA).
9. Tammy (Grey) Weasley, age 15 (Hu-4).
10. Pamela Ray (Adams) Weasley, age 15 (Ra-4).
11. Selene Adams, age 13 (Ra-2).
12. Betsy (Watson) Weasley, age 14 (Gr-3).
13. Elaine Lucinda (Manning) Weasley, age 14 (Hu-3).
14. Michelle Eliza Graham, age 13 (Gr-2).
15. Alice Paulette McGregor, age 13 (Hu-2).
16. Morgan Laura Carpenter, age 13 (Ra-2).
Lord Mayor Remus John Lupin, age 36.
1. Stephanie Mia (Rogers) Lupin, age 24 (SG); CONSORT.
2. Sarah Michelle (Hanson) Lupin, age 21 (SG).*
3. Amelia Renee (Carpenter) Lupin, age 21 (SG).*P
4. Tara Frances (Marks) Lupin, age 20 (SG-5).*
5. Christy (Matthews) Lupin, age 19 (SG).
6. Ellie Beth (Mitchell) Lupin, age 18 (PE-5).
Frank Longbottom, age 41.
1. Alice Maria (Pierson) Longbottom, age 40 (Ra); CONSORT.P
2. Sandra Ellen (Butler) Longbottom, age 24 (SP).*
3. Veronica Helen (Riordan) Longbottom, age 23 (SP).*P
4. Gretchen Lee (St. James) Longbottom, age 21 (PE).*
5. Marie (White) Longbottom, age 19 (SD).
6. Carol Matilda (Timmerman) Longbottom, age 17 (SD-5).
Charlie Weasley, age 23
1. Tatiana Maria (Ivanova) Weasley, age 19.